Dear LPG readers,

It is true that after my many more recent faux pas, I went out of my way to offer something to break my not-so-successful habits of the last few years' culinary experiments and find something that I could not get wrong. This month I succeeded in following this recipe to the letter.  

Cutting a melon into suitable shapes was challenging, but putting it in a jar was relatively easy.  I was a bit worried about filling a glass jar with boiling water just in case the whole thing disintegrated, so I put the jar in a bigger bowl before pouring, but it was all good.  

I think that waiting is one of the most complex parts of cooking anything, and there were two days’ wait involved with this recipe, but then it was time for the last instruction.  With a few friends and a homemade burger each, it was time to see if my latest cooking achievement could compare with the pickled gherkins, cucumbers and onions I usually add to that dish.  

My taste testers all informed me that my pickled accompaniments were much milder than the average pickle, but I enjoyed them, too. As someone who has never really been the biggest fan of pickles or watermelon when it is eaten as a piece of fruit, I too was pleasantly surprised.   

As the sun prepares to remind us that Autumn is on the way, I have it on good authority that Chile will be celebrating their Independence Day on September 18th and, by way of a food-inspired booster for the day in question, I plan to deliver a plate of Chorrillana which seems straightforward enough, but as you know, at least in my kitchen, the planning rarely imitates the implementation of any meal.

However, I will continue to do my very best…

CB, Lewisham. 

CB passes on knowledge and instructions about next month’s recipe…

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